Recently I was chatting with some friends who had to make a choice. They were presented with two alternatives and neither was favourable, yet a decision had to be made. Sometimes we have to resign ourselves to the "lesser of two evils" and that can be a difficult place to be in. Standing in opposition against both options we can feel forced to select something we cannot fully support. I was reflecting on that this morning after reading in Ezekiel.
In the Bible, Babylon is a symbol of evil, and King Nebuchadnezzar was far from being a righteous man, yet in Ezekiel 29 we see God rewarding him with spoils from another evil country, Egypt. Pharaoh and the Egyptians had enslaved God's people and held them in bondage for over 400 years. It is time for God to judge Egypt and He chooses to use Babylon as His weapon of consequence upon these people. God uses the armies of one evil kingdom to destroy another evil kingdom and then rewards the conquerors for their actions.
Sometimes we just see the "rewards" of those prospering and it makes us believe that evil is winning. Certainly, we can look around at our world and see the atrocities advancing and we can question what is happening and how long it will last. I think we always have to keep in mind that our God is "the Sovereign LORD". There are so many things that we see occur that our finite minds cannot begin to fathom. When it seems like evil is winning all around us, we must not forget who is in control and that all things are "working for Me", says the God of the universe.
As instruments of His judgment, God could and did bless Babylon according to His wisdom and will for carrying out His plan. The pagan king is promised wealth, and to us it may appear that God's got it wrong. It can bother us greatly to see the Lord employing such wickedness in His plans, and yet He does. From past to present God ordains both the means and the ends with even enemies and evil playing into His hands. Proverbs 16:4 says, "The Lord has made everything for its purpose, even the wicked for the day of trouble." The wicked are subservient to God's eternal plans, and even their rebellious actions cannot change what God has designed, ultimately demonstrating His power, justice and goodness for the purpose for all to know "that I am the LORD."
When we are invited to make difficult decisions, I wonder if there is ever an ideal choice. We struggle and hesitate to choose the lesser of two evils, but God does seem to use this method for His agenda. There are accounts throughout Scripture where lesser evil wins over worst. As one commentator pondered: "What choice does He have considering what there is to work with?" Even the Israelites, God's own chosen people, frequently walked away, serving and worshipping other gods, yet the Lord still chose them and used them to further His mission.
And, pause for a moment. Is God using you? We are all imperfect, sinful, wicked people who have been saved by grace to be sent on mission for Him. Does it amaze you the same way that God employs you in any of His plans for His glory? It should.
So, when our hearts are filled with confusion over happenings we cannot control, keep trusting. This morning I was also reminded when reading Psalm 99 that "The LORD is King!" and "He sits on His throne between the cherubim....The LORD sits in majesty...exalted above all the nations." I have always loved the image of God sitting and at rest. While the chaos of our lives swirl, God is seated. May that truth speak peace and settle your heart today.
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